Toughest Middle weight Champ That Hagler Struggles With?

How would you drag Canelo into the ring with a prime Hagler?

 

He fought GGG twice and Hagler liked to fight guys from the lower weight classes.

 

Lausse would give almost every middle in history trouble, Hagler included.

 

Well Antofermo gave him a lot of trouble and there were better champions than him. Monzon would probably beat Hagler.

 

Any champion will at some point struggle, with a man who is nothing more than a contender.

They are only human at the end of the day.

 

GGG was not prime

 

I think James Toney could give him a good fight.

 

That’s the best you could do?

 

I don’t think Roy Jones Jr is a greater middleweight than Hagler — a relatively brief period of his then-just-maturing career was spent at 160 — but I think he’d give Marvin fits and probably beat him. Especially over 12 rounds, but probably 15 as well.

 

I'm not sure that the version of Jones that beat Hopkins would be able to make 160 same day weigh in without being badly drained tbh. Given the day before weigh in, Marv might be fighting at welter/light middle. Jones with that leeway is obviously a horrible prospect for all the earlier 20th century classic middles who were naturally smaller than their modern counterparts. Golovkin though even with a few lbs weight advantage vs Hagler I'd still expect to get methodically beaten down and eventually lose widely, though likely going the distance and trying stoically for the entire time. One note pressure, power and chin aren't traits to be relying on against Hagler.

I don't think I'd favour many if any filmed middles outside of Monzon, Hopkins and Robinson over the prime Hagler. Even with those three, if Hagler were to not be a dozy tit and do the right thing, which would probably be to wade in with some finesse and make an educated scrap of it, all three of them might be in for a long night.

Kalambay is interesting. Hagler technically had the right traits to deal effectively with slicksters and cute types but obviously could get his approach off colour at times as we all know. Spending too long trying to fence, jab and counter or showing Sumbu too much respect might see him drop a close decision, especially pre-title fighting a congested schedule. I'd slightly favour Marvin best for best though all things being equal as Kalambay never seemed as much at home against southpaws, never mind the best switch hitter of all time. The likes of Burley, Williams etc he'd have to be dialled in and on it with the right approach. Thrown in with the rest of the row you'd have to imagine he'd lose one here and there running the gauntlet, though having a winning record. Again I could imagine him dropping one to Giardello but wouldn't bank on it considering how erratic Giardello could be, and he'd be banking on Hagler 's generalship being dubious on the night.

someone like Mike Gibbons, I haven't seen enough of tbh to form a strong opinion. Steele is a dangerous prospect for any middle, moreso than the likes of Griff, Tiger, Valdez etc. I'd expect Tiger and Valdez's footwork to undo them against Hagler, though they were both amazing enough from the knees up to keep him extremely honest and vigilant.

 

Hi Buddy.
Bravo.... excellent, on point, and the most salient post in the debate, for the life of me cannot see a intelligent counter argument to any and all of your measured and thought out scenarios, I have long struggled with the winner of Hagler / Monzon, as a lifelong admirer of Carlos I feel that his composeur, rock solid chin, stamina, and mental toughness would overcome Hagler over the 15 route, he fought with the attitude that no matter what the opponent came up with, no matter how far he was behind, he knew he would prevail, seemed like he had ice in his veins, his face showed no emotion, his high cheekbones hinting at his Aztec ancestry, up against Hagler's versatility, equally good chin, long range switch hitting, inbred toughness, and a unbending will, some days I foresee Marvin out boxing the somewhat methodical, one paced Monzon, others the result would be Monzon stepping up his pace and punishing Hagler over the last 3/4 and coming out a points winner, whatever the outcome, both these ATGs figure high in my MW rankings, to be sure.
Once again thanks for your opinion, it carries more weight here than your modest goodself realises.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Thanks old mate, cheers for taking time to respond and look after yourself as always.

Monzon-Hagler I've already spent countless hours debating in my own head. Hagler was a shade more skilled and talented for my money but Monzons ring IQ , cold assuredness and innate sense of where a fight was at and what needed to be done almost down to the second, levels things out.

 

Most of the names have been stated already, but I think Herol Graham & Chris Eubank Sr would be challenging for Hagler.